What does Proverbs 3:7 mean? (2024)

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Solomon continues his counsel regarding trusting the Lord instead of one's own understanding. He tells us not to rely on our own wisdom. This does not mean we're to act recklessly or without thought. The point is that our intellect is nothing compared to that of God, who created us. Human wisdom falls far below God's wisdom and leads to false assumptions. Romans 1:22–23 reports that the heathen claimed to be wise but became fools by worshiping nature instead of the Creator.

It is infinitely better to reverence the Lord, trust Him, and turn one's back on evil than to follow our own inclinations. Job did not understand why he was suffering so greatly, but he was convinced that the Lord knew what he was doing. He acknowledged that his responsibility was to reverence the Lord and reject evil. In Job 28:28, he quoted the Lord as saying, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.' Therefore, Job did not let his sufferings persuade him to sin. Instead, he wisely reverenced the Lord and eventually received abundant reward (Job 42:10–17).